Tyler Perry To Sponsor Madea Tea Party
The iconic Mad Tea Party attraction in Fantasyland will soon get a makeover and a new sponsor. Disney announced a partnership deal with Tyler Perry to integrate his characters into attractions. The first change will include removal of any Alice in Wonderland references to the Mad Tea Party. The ride will be renamed to Tyler Perry’s Madea Tea Party.
“Tyler Perry is, as we all know, a major force in Hollywood and the Walt Disney Company couldn’t be happier with our new partnership,” said Thomas Jefferson Geronimo III. Geronimo is Vice President of Attraction Synergy for Walt Disney Parks. “One thing our guests have been clamoring for is for a heavier Tyler Perry presence throughout our parks. We’re excited to finally bring this to our guests.”
Madea’s Tea Party will keep the same ride layout as the Mad Tea Party. However, the tea cups themselves will be repainted with decals and stickers of Tyler Perry’s most infamous character, Madea. Geronimo hinted that they may reprogram the ride to spin in reverse. The Imagineers will determine whether such a change is worth it, Geronimo said.
“Honestly, I didn’t think it was a great idea at first,” said Tyler Perry. “I’m not really known for whoring myself out in any way but the numbers Disney threw at me were just too good to pass up.”
The new partnership is rumored to be worth around 3 billion dollars. Over the next 10 years, more characters from Tyler Perry’s movies will make their way into the theme parks via rebranded attractions. Rumors are even circulating of a Madea-themed Halloween party to replace Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.
Madea’s Tea Party will close for refurbishment in late October. It will reopen as soon as the new paint dries and the stickers take.
